Yesterday, I was running late for a meeting in downtown Washington DC when I saw a homeless man lying on the street with his hands down his pants, appearing to do things that should be done in private. I found a female police officer and mentioned the man to her, also noting that he needed a social service agency more than punishment. I told the officer that as a woman and knowing there are children around, we have the right to not see men touching themselves in public.
As I was walking away the officer called for me. She wanted to let me know that she knew the homeless man and because he has been robbed many times, inside his pants is where he keeps his money. She went out of her way to make sure I knew I was safe in downtown DC. That is why we have women on the force–because a woman understands the fears and concerns of other women. I headed for my meeting feeling safe, proud of female officers, and thoughtful about the larger plight of the homeless in DC.
Sadly, as a woman I am not given that same level of concern and advocacy from the elected bodies of government. Much has been written lately about the abysmal numbers of women in Congress. Despite being more than 50% of population, only 17% of Congress is comprised of women. During the yearlong deficit/debt panic on the Hill, women have been left out by gangs of dudes. We had the informal Gang 6 dudes. We had the Biden Task Force gang of dudes. Now, we have the token woman chairing the “Super Committee” tasked with cutting just about everything in government and finding a way for everyone to have a unicorn, too.
I strongly respect the only female Super Committee member Senator Patty Murray. Admittedly, I would be happier with her being on the committee if she committed to using her seat to end all cuts to earned benefits of Social Security and Medicare. However, one woman, a mere 8% of the committee, can’t do much. She won’t be able to be in every subcommittee or present at every sidebar conversation.
More than anything, the Super Committee shows me, a still somewhat-youngish woman, that women aren’t supposed to be involved in the most important aspects of government. I am not supposed to want to dig deep to protect the American Dream from being destroyed by hardline rightwing men. I am not supposed to know enough of the budgetary process to protect a program like Social Security (which doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit), I am not supposed to be in the room to create strong deals to strengthen education funding, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Am I supposed to sit back and just watch the Twitter feed of the Super Committee while mostly white men decide the future of the nation? I am not sure if these white men understand what a single woman feels when she is worried about losing her Social Security COLA. I am not sure if a white man from a wealthy background can understand the economic opportunity Pell Grants bring to an entire family. Nor am I sure if the mostly white male committee understands that America is more than stockholders, bondholders, and the other gangs of dudes on Wall Street.
Women in our workforce and women who care for children advance the economic power of our country. Women have always held our nation together during times of crisis, from entering the workforce during WWII to playing critical roles in every social movement in our history. Now, at this time of crisis we have been told loud and clear that we are not wanted.
I need to know that in our system, which is designed on representation, I am represented. I need to know the uniqueness of women is being brought to the table. With cuts to every single critical American program–ones that could help the homeless man I saw in downtown DC, as well as pay and pensions for the female police officer–prominently on the table, women have been told loud and clear we don’t deserve our fair share of representation.
Aside from the disastrous outcomes of the Super Committee for our economy and our future, I fear that fewer young women will want to run for office or fight for their seat at the table. After all, if in 2011 we are banned from the deficit debate and finding solutions, are we really welcomed in our society?
And, while I am mad as hell I have no real representation in the Super Committee, I am grateful for that female police officer and her ability to strongly represent women in the force.
Melissa Byrne likes gardening, posting too much on Facebook, and experimenting with quinoa. She has been a long-time organizer and first noticed gender discrimination as a first grader when the boys had twice as much playground area as the girls. Right now, she is working on ending the jobs crisis and loves all things about Social Security.
Photo credit Frank Kehren/Flickr